Shopsmith Forums

I just picked up a mark v 500 used. When I stand the drill press up it sits past 90 degrees. I have used a laser to insure that the tubes are straight and tightened the bottom tubes. Should there be rubber stops on the end of the upper tubes? Seems like somthing is missing but not sure what.
Scott

landmark wrote:I just picked up a mark v 500 used. When I stand the drill press up it sits past 90 degrees. I have used a laser to insure that the tubes are straight and tightened the bottom tubes. Should there be rubber stops on the end of the upper tubes? Seems like something is missing but not sure what.
Scott

I can't say that you have a problem. This is because I think if I were to put a level on my table, when in drill press position, it would show the bubble going toward the way tubes. I've never considered this to be a problem, as long as the table is perfectly perpendicular to a drill bit.

The issue of leveling the table so it is perpendicular to a drill bit has recently been discussed in a couple of threads. One system to address this issue used measurements from a saw blade or sanding disk/special alignment disk, while the headstock is in normal position and the table tilted 90 degrees. Another system uses an engineer's square against a bit or straight rod while in drill press position.

landmark wrote:I just picked up a mark v 500 used. When I stand the drill press up it sits past 90 degrees. I have used a laser to insure that the tubes are straight and tightened the bottom tubes. Should there be rubber stops on the end of the upper tubes? Seems like somthing is missing but not sure what.
Scott

landmark;

Is your concern that when you put the Shopsmith up into the drill press mode the way tubes are not vertical at 90 degrees OR is your concern with the table relative to the way tubes?

When vertical, the Shopsmith's way tubes will stand approximately 91 degrees from the bench tubes, presuming the Shopsmith is resting on a level floor. The table surface can be adjusted 90 degrees to the vertical way tubes, but it is better practice to align it 90 degrees to the axis of rotation of the arbor, and even better practice to adjust it 90 degrees to the rotational axis of the chuck. Anyone want to see how this is done in a Sawdust Session?

With all good wishes,

Nick wrote: The table surface can be adjusted 90 degrees to the vertical way tubes, but it is better practice to align it 90 degrees to the axis of rotation of the arbor, and even better practice to adjust it 90 degrees to the rotational axis of the chuck. Anyone want to see how this is done in a Sawdust Session?

With all good wishes,

Yes, Nick. This would be a valuable session.

Bring it on, Nick!

Nick wrote: Anyone want to see how this is done in a Sawdust Session?
,

Yes, I'd like to see it!

I also would like to see it. Thanks, Bob

Nick wrote:even better practice to adjust it 90 degrees to the rotational axis of the chuck. Anyone want to see how this is done in a Sawdust Session?

With all good wishes,

Absolutely.

For years I have been using a piece of coat hanger wire bent into a "Z" configuration for this. One vertical leg goes in the chuck, the table is raised so that the end of the other vertical leg just barely grazes the table and then the chuck is rotated by hand. If the "feeler" just grazes the table as it goes around a full rotation, I figure the table is square to the spindle. After the bit is inserted I do a quick check on two sides with an engineers square and then call it good. I would be very interested in learning Nick's method.

edflorence wrote:Absolutely.

For years I have been using a piece of coat hanger wire bent into a "Z" configuration for this. One vertical leg goes in the chuck, the table is raised so that the end of the other vertical leg just barely grazes the table and then the chuck is rotated by hand. If the "feeler" just grazes the table as it goes around a full rotation, I figure the table is square to the spindle. After the bit is inserted I do a quick check on two sides with an engineers square and then call it good. I would be very interested in learning Nick's method.

Ed
Now that is a super idea!!!!!!! I can even figure that one out!!
One question does the end of the wire ever get stuck in the table ribs? I imagine if it were a problem a slight turn over on the end of the wire would solve that problem.
Ed